What is the correct name for the molecular compound XeF4?

• A. Xenon difluoride
• B. Xenon tetrafluoride
• C. Xenon fluoride
• D. Xenon hexafluoride

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements in the compound: Xe is xenon, a noble gas, and F is fluorine, a halogen.
2. Recognize that this is a molecular compound formed between two nonmetals, so we use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms.
3. Determine the number of fluorine atoms attached to xenon from the formula XeF4, which shows 4 fluorine atoms.
4. Use the appropriate prefix for 4, which is 'tetra-', and combine it with the name of fluorine to form 'tetrafluoride'.
5. Combine the element name and prefix to get the full name: 'Xenon tetrafluoride'.